Final answer:
The claim that most current management theories are based on a closed systems approach is false. Modern management theories typically use an open system approach, taking into account the relationships and interactions between an organization and its environment. Hence, option b. is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most current management theories are based upon a closed systems approach is false. Modern management theories largely adopt an open system perspective, recognizing that organizations are dynamic and interact continuously with their environment. This approach considers the exchange of information, energy, and resources between the organization and its external environment, which is a key characteristic of an open system.
Historically, older management theories like Taylorism (Scientific management) or the bureaucratic model by Weber could be seen as more closed-system oriented, as they emphasized internal efficiency without extensively considering the external environment's influence.
However, contemporary theories such as contingency theory, systems theory, and complexity theory take an open systems view, focusing on adaptability, external relationships, and the impact of the environment on organizational performance.